3 Ways Digital Accessibility Promotes Inclusion in the Workplace
Why should employers ensure digital inclusion in the workplace? While legal regulations such as the European Accessibility Act and Americans with Disabilities Act have brought the importance of accessibility to the forefront of the minds of businesses, the benefits actually extend far beyond mere compliance.
Organisations that embrace digital accessibility demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion, enhancing their reputation and appealing to a wider talent pool. In fact, the most forward-thinking businesses now view digital accessibility as a competitive advantage.
How Does Digital Accessibility Promote Inclusion in the Workplace?
In the modern workplace, technology is ubiquitous, serving as the backbone of communication, collaboration, and productivity. Without accessible digital tools and content, a significant portion of the workforce is at a disadvantage. Individuals with disabilities often face obstacles when navigating websites, software applications, and online training resources. By prioritising digital accessibility, employers can break down these barriers and create an environment where all employees can contribute effectively.
Here are three ways digital accessibility can make your workplace more inclusive for people with disabilities:
1. It Empowers Your Workforce
Digital accessibility empowers employees with disabilities to be more self-reliant and efficient in their roles. Screen readers, voice recognition software, and adaptive switch devices are just a few examples of tools that can help individuals to contribute fully to the workplace. When these tools are seamlessly integrated into the work environment, employees can focus on their strengths and skills, rather than grappling with inaccessible technology.
2. It Fuels Innovations that Benefit Everyone
The pursuit of digital inclusion often leads to innovative solutions that benefit everyone, not just individuals with disabilities. For instance, the development of closed captions for videos not only aids the deaf and hard of hearing but also provides a valuable resource for non-native speakers and those in noisy environments. In this way, accessibility-driven innovations create a ripple effect that improves the overall user experience for all your employees.
3. It Creates an Inclusive Culture at Work
Digital accessibility is not solely the responsibility of IT departments or web developers. It requires a holistic approach that involves all aspects of an organisation. From human resources to management, fostering an inclusive culture at work is essential. Training programs can educate employees about the importance of accessibility and how to create content that meets these standards. By cultivating a sense of collective responsibility, organisations can ensure that digital inclusion becomes an intrinsic part of their employer brand.
Challenges in Achieving Digital Inclusion
While strides have been made in advancing digital accessibility, challenges persist. Rapid technological advancements and trends can sometimes outpace efforts to ensure accessibility. For example, the popularity of minimalistic colour schemes like Apple’s grey and white has posed issues for people with colour blindness or vision impairments, while parallax scrolling has caused difficulties for those with vestibular disorders and assistive technology users.
However, acknowledging these challenges opens the door to finding innovative solutions. Collaboration between technology experts, accessibility advocates, and end-users is crucial to staying ahead of the curve and addressing emerging accessibility concerns.
Digital Accessibility is the Future of Inclusive Workplaces
Embracing digital accessibility is not only a legal and moral imperative but also a strategic decision that fosters innovation, empowers employees, and positions organisations as leaders in creating a more equitable future for all.
At IA Labs, we help companies become more digitally inclusive to ensure people with disabilities have equal access and opportunities. Get started on becoming a more inclusive place to work today!
